NFL: Dallas kicker Dan Bailey wins game with six field-goals

Arlington
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The story all week was will Tony Romo be able to play this week. The next thing was can Rex Grossman keep his promise of the Redskins winning the division and take the team to 3-0. The Redskins fell short, but due to the leg of the Dallas kicker.

The Dallas Cowboys (2-1) hosted the Washington Redskins (2-1) for an early divisional matchup that needs no extra juice to make it special. The Redskins and Cowboys rivalry is a bitter and one and it was proven tonight as both defenses tried their best to get the victory. Despite Tony Romo not throwing a touchdown the Cowboys still managed to pull off a 18-16 victory.

The Redskins started the game with the ball and Rex Grossman (22/37, 250 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int) got the offense moving as they went 42-yards in ten plays. Grossman hit Santana Moss (5 receptions, 70 yards) for a 16-yard catch, and later hit Chris Cooley (4 receptions, 41 yards) for a 17-yard pass to move them into field-goal range. Graham Gano came on and kicked a 46-yard field-goal to give the Redskins a 3-0 lead.

The Cowboys got the ball moving on their opening drive as well as they went 57-yards on their ensuing drive. Dallas could not get in the endzone and had to settle for a field-goal. Dan Bailey came on and made a 41-yard field-goal to tie the game up at 3-points apiece.

Washington went three and out on their next drive and was forced to punt the ball back to the Cowboys. Dallas tried to get their offense moving after the punt, but Tony Romo (22/36, 255 yards, 1 Int) hit Kevin Ogletree (3 receptions, 19 yards) who fumbled the ball. The play was reviewed and it showed the Ogletree fumbled the ball and LaRon Landry recovered it to give the ball to the Redskins.

The Redskins got great field position, but was only able to move the ball one-yard in four-plays. Gano came on for the Redskins again and made another field-goal to give them a 6-3 lead. Gano kicked in a 27-yard field-goal to put points on the board after the turnover.

Dallas got the ball and tried to get their offense going, but went three and out and punted the ball back to the Redskins. Washington took over, but Grossman came out and threw an interception on the first play of the drive. Grossman’s pass was picked off by Sean Lee and set the Cowboys up with good field position.

The Cowboys was only able to move the ball 9-yards on this drive and had to settle for a field-goal. Bailey came on and kicked a 27-yard field-goal that made it a 6-6 game.

With 9:45 left in the second quarter the Redskins had a chance to the lead on a field-goal, but it was blocked. The Redskins had trouble moving the ball and brought Gano in for a 36-yard field-goal. Sav Rocca had trouble with the snap and could not get the ball down in time and Gerald Sensabaugh came in and blocked it.

Romo brought the offense back on the field and took advantage of the turnover. Dallas moved the ball 59-yards in eight plays but could not get in the endzone. Bailey came in and made a 32-yard field-goal that gave Dallas a 9-6 lead.

Washington got the ball back with 2:25 left in the half and they used all of that to try and get into scoring position. Grossman hit Moss for a 15-yard pass that got them in field-goal range. Grossman was sacked for a loss on the next play and then he spiked the ball to stop the clock. Gano came on for the Redskins and kicked a 50-yard field-goal and tied the game up to end the half.

The Cowboys got the ball to start the second half and Romo threw an interception that ended the drive. Kevin Barnes picked off the ball, and gave the ball back to the Redskins. Grossman took them down the field 76-yards in nine plays to score a touchdown and give them a lead. Grossman hit Moss for a 36-yard pass, and Tim Hightower did the rest of it. Grossman finished the drive by hitting Hightower for a 1-yard pass that made it a 16-9 lead.

Dallas came back on the field and Romo moved the ball 55-yards on the drive. Felix Jones (14 carries, 115 yards) had a 29-yard run to start the drive then Romo hit Jason Witten (6 receptions, 60 yards) for a 23-yard gain. The drive later stalled and bailey came in for another field-goal. Bailey kicked a 41-yard field-goal to make it a 16-12 game.

With 11:26 left in the game the Cowboys got the ball back and made their way down the field. Jones had a 40-yard run to get Dallas into Washington territory. The Cowboys moved the ball 76-yards on this drive and had it end with another Bailey field-goal. Bailey made a 23-yard field-goal to get Dallas within 1-point, 16-15.

Washington had a chance to answer on their ensuing drive, but came up short and was forced to punt the ball back to Dallas. There was 3:44 left in the game and the Cowboys went on the move. Romo hit Ogletree for a 20-yard catch to get them moving. Romo then connected with Dez Bryant (4 receptions, 63 yards) 30-yard pass to extend the drive on 3rd and 21. The Cowboys could not finish the drive and had to settle for another field-goal. Bailey came in and kicked a 40-yard game winning field-goal to put Dallas up 18-16.

The Redskins had a chance to answer but Grossman was sacked by Anthony Spencer and he fumbled the ball. Sean Lee recovered the ball for the Cowboys and sealed the deal giving them the win.